Xavier Dolan joins cast of ‘It: Chapter Two’

TORONTO – Montreal actor-filmmaker Xavier Dolan has joined the cast of the Toronto-shot horror film “It: Chapter Two.”

A representative for Dolan confirms reports that Dolan will be in the sequel to the 2017 hit adaptation of the Stephen King novel.

He’ll play openly gay character Adrian Mellon, who is killed by shapeshifting evil clown Pennywise.

Bill Skarsgard stars as Pennywise in a cast that also includes Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader and Canadian actor Finn Wolfhard of “Stranger Things” fame.

Andy Muschietti returns as director for the film, which is set for release in September 2019.

Dolan and Chastain worked together on his upcoming film “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan,” which he co-wrote and directed. He says he ultimately had to cut her character because it didn’t fit with the story.

“The Death and Life of John F. Donovan” marks the English-language directorial debut for Dolan, whose French-language drama “It’s Only the End of the World” won the Grand Prix at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. It also won six Canadian Screen Awards.

Dolan has acted in some of his previous acclaimed films, including “I Killed My Mother,” “Heartbeats” and “Mommy.”